Etna Biotech is the wholly-owned subsidiary of Netherland-based Crucell NV.

This is the company’s first acquisition in the research space, it would offer a highly evolved research platform for the group to develop new vaccines and technology, Cadila Healthcare, the flagship company of Zydus Cadila Group, said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

“With this acquisition we will be at the forefront of innovation for vaccine research and development," Zydus Cadila CMD Pankaj R Patel said.

Etna Biotech is focused on research, development, production and marketing of vaccines, proteins and antibodies that prevent and treat primarily infectious diseases, it said.

Cadila was trading at ₹ 267.90, down 2.24 per cent in afternoon trade on the BSE. PTI SKR KG